[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7705-7706]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3913]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[COTP San Diego, 98-001]
RIN 2115-AA97


Safety Zone: Colorado River, Bluewater Marina to La Paz County 
Park, Parker, AZ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the 
navigable waters of the Colorado River beginning at Bluewater Marina in 
Parker, AZ, and extending approximately 10 miles south to La Paz County 
Park on the following dates: March 14, 1998 through March 15, 1998. The 
event requiring establishment of this safety zone is the Parker 
International Waterski Marathon.
    The safety zone will consist of all navigable waters on the 
Colorado River extending approximately 10 miles south from Bluewater 
Marina in Parker, AZ, to Las Paz County Park. The safety zone is 
established to protect the lives and property of the event participants 
and spectators by establishing a safety zone around the entire event 
course. Entry into, transit through, or anchoring within this zone is 
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.

DATES: This temporary regulation becomes effective at 8 a.m. (PDT) on 
March 14, 1998, until 5 p.m. (PST) on March 14, 1998; then continues at 
8 a.m. (PST) on March 15, 1998, until 5 p.m. (PST) on March 15, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Marine Safety Office San Diego, 2716 N. Harbor Drive, San 
Diego, CA 92101-1064.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Mike A. Arguelles, U.S. 
Coast Guard Marine Safety Office San Diego at (619) 683-6484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553, a notice of proposed rulemaking 
was not published for this regulation and good cause exists for making 
it effective in less than 30 days after Federal Register publication. 
Publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking and delay of its 
effective date would be contrary to the public interest since the 
location of the Parker International Waterski Marathon, and other 
logistical details surrounding the event, were not finalized until a 
date fewer than 30 days prior to the event date.

Background and Purpose

    The Parker International Waterski Marathon will consist of various 
waterski racing activities. The activities will take place from 8 a.m. 
(PST) until 5 p.m. each day from, and including, March 14, 1998 
through, and including, March 15, 1998, in the navigable waters of the 
Colorado River, extending approximately 10 miles south from Bluewater 
Marina in Parker, AZ, to La Paz County Park. The race course will be 
marked by buoys and sponsor vessels to alert non-participants.

Discussion of Regulation

    This regulation is necessary to protect the lives and property of 
the Parker International Waterski Marathon participants and spectators. 
The course is approximately 10 miles long and encompasses the entire 
water area on the Colorado River extending south from Bluewater Marina 
in Parker, AZ, to La Paz County Park. The course will be marked by 
buoys and sponsor vessels to alert non-participants.
    On the following days and times, the course will be in use by 
vessels competing in the event: (1) March 14, 1998 through March 15, 
1998, daily from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM (PST). During these times, the 
Colorado River from Bluewater Marina in Parker, AZ, south to La Paz 
County Park, will be closed to all traffic with the exception of 
emergency vessels. No vessels other than participants, official patrol 
vessels, or emergency vessels will be allowed to enter into, transit 
through, or anchor within this zone unless specifically cleared by or 
through an official patrol vessel.

Regulatory Assessment

    This regulation is not a significant regulatory action under 
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an 
assessment of potential cost and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that 
order. It has been exempted from review by the Office of Management and 
Budget under that Order. It is not

[[Page 7706]]

significant under the regulatory policies and procedures of the 
Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR11040, February 26, 1979). The 
Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this regulation to be so 
minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10(e) of the 
regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Transportation 
is unnecessary.

Collection of Information

    This rule contains no collection of information requirements under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

    The Coast Guard has analyzed this regulation under the principles 
and criteria in Executive Order 12612 and has determined that this rule 
does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environmental Assessment

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this 
regulation and concluded that under paragraph 2.B.2 of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.1B, this regulation is categorically excluded from 
further environmental documentation. This regulation is expected to 
have no significant effect on the environment. A Categorical Exclusion 
Determination and Environmental Analysis Checklist is available for 
inspection and copying in the docket to be maintained at the address 
listed under ADDRESSES in this preamble.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.

Regulation

    In consideration of the foregoing, subpart F of part 165 of Title 
33, Code of Federal Regulations, is amended as follows:
    1. The authority citation for 33 CFR Part 165 continues to read as 
follows:

Part 165--[Amended]

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 
6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.

    2. A temporary section 165.T-43 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 165.T11-043  Safety Zone: Colorado River, Bluewater Marina to La 
Paz County Park, Parker, AZ.

    (a) Location. The following area constitutes a safety zone in the 
navigable waters of the Colorado River: the entire water area of the 
Colorado River beginning at the Bluewater Marina in Parker, AZ, and 
extending approximately 10 miles south to La Paz County Part.
    (b) Effective Dates. This regulation becomes effective at 8 a.m. 
(PDT) on March 14, 1998, until 5 p.m. (PST) on March 14, 1998; then 
continues at 8 a.m. (PST) on March 15, 1998, until 5 p.m. (PST) on 
March 15, 1998, unless canceled earlier by the Captain of the Port.
    (c) Regulations. In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec. 165.23 of this part, entry into, transit through, or anchoring 
within this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the 
Port.

    Dated: January 30, 1998.
J.A. Watson, IV,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port San Diego, California.
[FR Doc. 98-3913 Filed 2-13-98; 8:45 am]
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